Kairo couldn't shake the feeling that had settled over him since finding the letter. It was rare for something to feel so personal, and the words lingered in his mind, replaying whenever he found himself alone. He couldn't stop wondering who had left it and why they seemed to understand him so well.
At breakfast with his groupmates, Kairo's thoughts drifted as they joked and chatted around him. Yeseo, sitting across from him, noticed his absent gaze. She nudged him, laughing lightly. "You're off in your own world again," she teased.
Kairo chuckled, nodding, but he stayed vague. "Just…thinking. Sometimes it's nice to remember that people see you, beyond all this."
His words struck Yeseo as thoughtful, and she felt a pang of curiosity, wondering if she was one of the people who "saw" him that way. Her gaze softened as she watched him, the warmth of her admiration briefly visible in her expression.
Meanwhile, Yuna sat at home, her fingers tracing over the star symbol she had scrawled onto the bottom of the letter. She replayed Kairo's Weverse post in her mind, feeling certain he'd written it in response to her words. He hadn't mentioned the letter outright, but the message was there. Her heart raced, feeling that her influence was growing, invisible but undeniable.
But with fans still discussing Yeseo and calling her his "perfect match," Yuna's satisfaction quickly turned to frustration. She realized that if she wanted Kairo to rely on her, she'd need to step up her game. A single letter wasn't enough she had to stay on his mind, in ways only she could.
She carefully drafted her next message, composing a series of heartfelt letters she could leave for him anonymously, each more personal than the last. This time, she wanted to make it impossible for him to ignore the fact that someone saw him like no one else did.
Days later, Kairo returned to his studio for another late-night practice. He'd just set his bag down when he noticed another envelope, resting neatly on his sheet music. Opening it, he found a short but thoughtful note written in the same hand as before:
"Even stars need a place to hide, a space to be who they are, without expectation. Remember, you don't need to shine all the time. Sometimes, just being is enough."
The words felt strangely comforting, as if this mystery person somehow understood the pressures he faced. Kairo read it over again, a small smile tugging at his lips. It was uncanny how this unseen supporter seemed to read his thoughts, offering comfort at moments he didn't realize he needed it.
He tucked the letter into his bag and couldn't help but feel… grateful. It was as if, somehow, someone had noticed the cracks he kept hidden from everyone else.
The following morning, Hana found herself rifling through Kairo's schedule, preparing for another packed day. She noticed his slightly lighter mood and sensed something had changed. She approached him, hoping to catch a glimpse of what was on his mind.
"You seem different these days, Kairo," she observed as they walked to the car. "Anything you'd like to share?"
Kairo hesitated, unsure how to explain it. "Just… been feeling thankful, I guess. Sometimes people surprise you with how much they actually see."
Hana raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his cryptic response. "Is that so?" she replied, trying to gauge if there was something or someone behind this newfound sense of gratitude. "You've been pretty reflective lately. It's not like you to keep things from me," she teased, hoping he'd open up.
Kairo smiled but remained tight-lipped. "It's nothing, really. Just…a reminder that sometimes, even in this industry, there are people who understand us beyond what's on the surface."
Hana nodded, though her curiosity was piqued. She knew Kairo well enough to sense when he was hiding something. His sudden, contemplative remarks and the subtle, almost secretive smile that lingered didn't escape her notice. As his manager, she made a mental note to keep an eye on this change in him. She didn't want anything especially something as mysterious as an anonymous admirer to interfere with his focus.
At the same time, Yuna was crafting her next steps carefully. She knew her letters were reaching him, but now she wanted to deepen the connection. This wasn't just about admiration anymore; she felt certain that she understood him better than anyone else. The letters were becoming a lifeline between them, a silent bond she'd nurtured in secret.
This time, she decided to leave a small, thoughtful gift along with her next letter a simple keychain with a star symbol, subtly matching her message. She imagined Kairo finding it, the way his face might light up with a faint recognition, feeling seen in a way only she could offer. The thought fueled her determination to keep going, each new gesture bringing her closer to her ultimate goal.
Later that evening, Kairo found the keychain on his studio desk, accompanied by another note. His heart skipped a beat as he held it in his hand, marveling at the thoughtfulness behind it. Somehow, it felt like he had a friend in the shadows, someone who understood him without needing him to put on any masks.
The letters were becoming more than just words on paper; they were a strange source of comfort. And though he didn't know the sender's identity, he began to look forward to each message, wondering how much this unseen supporter could truly know about him.
Little did he know, his secret admirer was watching his every move, her presence carefully woven into his life, step by step. And as the bond between them deepened, Yuna's influence on him grew stronger, slowly but surely tightening her hold.